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BICE Releases LESC Fact Sheet
The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (BICE) released a fact sheet and press release on the The Law Enforcement Support Center (LESC) which serves as a national enforcement operations center by providing timely immigration status and identity information to local, state and federal law enforcement agencies on aliens suspected, arrested or convicted of criminal activity.

6th Circuit Adopts BIA Definition For "Particular Social Group"
In Castellano-Chacon v. INS, No. 02-3273 (6th Cir. Aug. 18, 2003), the court, in a case of first impression for the 6th Circuit, said that it was barred from reviewing the Board of Immigration Appeal's decision in denying Petitioner's application on the basis that it was untimely. In articulating, for the first time in the 6th Circuit, a specific test for "particular social group" in the aslyum context, the court joined the 1st, 3rd, and 7th Circuits in adopting the BIA's definition thereof (the court declined to join the 9th Circuit and the 2nd Circuit in their interpretations of that term). The court also noted that while the definition of a "social group" was a flexible one encompassing a wide variety of groups, it was apparent that the term had an outer limit outside of which the group of "tatooed youth" fell.

IJ's Delayed Ruling On Motion To Reconsider Does Not Qualify As Exceptional Circumstance
In Omonkhomon v. Ashcroft, No. 02-2332 (4th Cir. Aug. 18, 2003), the court said that the Immigration Judge's ruling on Petitioner's motion to reconsider until after the expiration of the period of voluntary departure was not intentional and did not qualify as an exceptional circumstance justifying Petitioner's failure to voluntarily depart in a timely manner.

Issue Over Age Leaves 18-Year-Old Orphan In Immigration Limbo
The Pennslyvania Patriot-News reports "The case of a young West African man who has spent 32 months in detention has attracted the attention of lawmakers, who want the federal government to release him to a refugee shelter and delay deportation proceedings."

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Experienced Canadian Immigration Attorney
The Law Offices of Bart Klein seeks an experienced attorney in Canadian immigration law for a full-time position based in Seattle, WA. Minimum 2 years experience in Canadian immigration law required. Attorney will advise clients on Canadian Immigration law and NAFTA. Must either possess or be eligible for WA State bar license or foreign law consultant license. Salary DOE. Send resume to: Law Offices of Bart Klein via fax at 206-624-6371.

Experienced Immigration AttorneyStoll, Keenon & Park, one of Kentucky's oldest and largest law firms founded in 1897, seeks an experienced business immigration attorney based either in its Lexington or Louisville, Kentucky office. Minimum 2+ years of full-time experience in preparing H-1B, L-1, E-2, TN, labor cert, I-140, and AOS applications is required. Candidate must have a stellar academic record as well as possess excellent research and writing skills. The position requires a highly organized individual who is proficient with case management software. We offer a great working environment and a competitive salary and benefits package. Email resume + cover letter to Denise Wilson, Human Resources Manager at wilson@skp.com or fax to (859) 253-1093. EOE

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Dear Editor:
I deeply appreciate the sincerity of Mrs. Keener on her remarks by saying: "Many immigration judges do their own typing, copying, and other office chores. We share very limited resources for law clerks to help research the law and changing country conditions abroad. Our annual conference, which provides legal training and education on cultural sensitivity in the courtroom, was canceled this year due to lack of funds."
That, in my opinion, is a good wake up call in itself. It is a clear sign of what we all have suspected before; despite the high fees paid for immigration services, the government is not managing the BCIS financial resources properly. I wonder how many billions of dollars the BCIS collects every year from the application fees and how they make use of it.
I feel like volunteering to be a Clerk to the immigration judges in my jurisdiction, the same way I am a volunteer in my community, with the hope that it would help judges relieve their stress and better serve those in need of our justice system. Shame on you BCIS.
I believe that with the fees charged to its customers, BCIS collects enough money to hire clerks to do the administrative work instead of relying on a judge's time.
It is time for people interested in a fair immigration policy to step up to the plate.
The Boston incident is a clear sign that we need to bring decency to our immigration courts, by applying the right standards of basic infrastructure to run the BCIS. By doing so, the people in charge of taking decision about other people's lives (not only the judges, but every public servant at BCIS in contact with the immigrants in need of their service), are not exhausted to the point of losing focus of their obligation, and behaving out of the boundaries of liberty and justice for all.

C. Silva

Dear Editor:
The legislation/guest workers bill introduced into Congress by Rep. Kolbe, Rep. Flake, and Sen. McCain disqualifies any undocumented worker who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor committed in the US, "excluding crimes related to unlawful entry or presence in the US and crimes related to document fraud undertaken for the purpose of satisfying a requirement of this Act or obtaining a benefit under this Act". My understanding of the above is that the exclusion would comprise everyone who may have been convicted of a misdemeanor, say, in the use of a false social security card to obtain employment or a driver's license, convicted for driving without a valid driver's license, etc. Is my interpretation of this exclusion correct?

Richard E. Baer

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